DEFINITIONS

In this chapter: (1) "Essential public health services" means services to: (A) monitor the health status of individuals in the community to identify community health problems; (B) diagnose and investigate community health problems and community health hazards; (C) inform, educate, and empower the community with respect to health issues; (D) mobilize community partnerships in identifying and solving community health problems; (E) develop policies and plans that support individual and community efforts to improve health; (F) enforce laws and rules that protect the public health and ensure safety in accordance with those laws and rules; (G) link individuals who have a need for community and personal health services to appropriate community and private providers; (H) ensure a competent workforce for the provision of essential public health services; (I) research new insights and innovative solutions to community health problems; and (J) evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services in a community. (2) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine by the Texas Medical Board.